One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is keeping your creativity alive. If only it was as easy as taking a nap or giving your creative muscles some rest, but as countless creatives have shared with us, keeping one’s creativity alive is something that requires effort and intention. Below, we’ve shared some of those perspectives, stories and advice.
Hungyu Kuo
I keep my creativity alive by living my life genuinely. Inspiration doesn’t come when I try to force it; it flows from my experiences, the people I meet, the mistakes I make, and the emotions that stay with me. I pay attention to small details, unexpected conversations, and the moments that change my view of the world. Read More>>
Yuding Lin
My creativity comes from my lifelong love for photography. I have always wanted to express the beauty I see and feel through the images I create. My creativity is rooted in observation—paying attention to life, details, and moments. It also comes from the inspiration I gain from excellent photographic works around the world. Read More>>
Latina Bohemian
How I keep creativity alive is by believing in it. There are defining moments where “creating” feels frustrating, unknowing, and exciting. You could say a rollercoaster metaphorically, with ups and downs. It serves as timeless inspiration, being both a muse and a guide. It inspires me as a human to always keep my imagination wide and find insight in others. Read More>>
Nick Kohlmeier
I keep my creativity alive by supporting so many other great artists and tattooers out there. There is so much great art out there in my industry to admire and draw influence from. Social media is a big help in finding artists to follow, chat with and befriend. Read More>>
Jenna Mitsdarfer
I find that the best way to keep your creativity alive is to take a break. So often, people pursuing a creative career get so caught up in producing a great quantity of work that they get burnt out. Stepping back gives you the space to reset, notice things you might’ve overlooked, and return with a clearer perspective. Read More>>
Ambre BURNAND-GRIMALDI
Keeping my creativity alive is one of the most important things to me. I had the chance to grow up in a household where art was a priority—from books to theater, dance, cinema, photography, music, and art exhibitions. From a young age, I learned to appreciate and find beauty and purpose in all these forms of art. Read More>>
Kyle Saucedo
Sometimes it can be hard to find creativity, or to go through times where you feel uninspired. I think for me the biggest key for keeping your creativity flowing is to try something new, or intimidating that you’ve been putting off. With makeup it’s ready because there’s always a new trend or product to try, so you always have something to pull inspiration from. Read More>>
Ellie Rich
Creativity needs the right environment to thrive, and for me that begins at home. The place you live in every day sets the rhythm for what you make. Quiet corners, good light, tools within reach, real sleep, real meals. My husband, Dillon Richardson, is a creative soul too, and that shared language matters. We’ve built a home that works like an ecosystem for creativity. Read More>>
David Flores
I have two young boys (ages 3 and 1) and daily life for me is very much a grind. So, this is a question that I’ve been asking myself for a few years now. Keeping and maintaining creativity in the cycle of life I’m in at the moment is very, very hard. It’s slower, with lower stakes and celebrating the small wins. Read More>>
Cindy Vo
In order to keep my creativity alive, I try to push myself out of my comfort zone and indulge in experiences. I love meeting people from all walks of life, trying new activities, and reading different genres all in an attempt to keep my mind and heart open. Read More>>
Harleen Kaur Chhabra
Honestly, I think my creativity comes from what I find beautiful but also what I’m curious about. I let that curiosity drive my creativity a lot of the time. I’m constantly inspired by contrasts — nature and technology, tradition and modernity, simplicity and opulence. Read More>>
Taryn Lewis
Honestly? Some days, I don’t. I used to think creativity was an endless flame—that if you loved something enough, the spark would never fade. But no one tells you what happens after burnout, after trauma, after the algorithm tanks your reach and your confidence in the same week. When I first started, ideas came easy. Transitions. GRWMs. Acting voiceovers. Dance trends. Read More>>
Chayil Brooks
How I keep my creativity alive is by going to the movies. Going to see a movie was when I realized I wanted to be a movement director. Film makes every thing feel more intense for us. The acting, the costumes, the sound and even the camera work. Read More>>
Leah Han
One thing I’ve learned about myself is that my creativity grows the most when my life isn’t completely settled. I don’t mean chaos, but a kind of open-endedness , a life where the future isn’t fully mapped out and there are always multiple paths ahead of me. That sense of possibility keeps me alert, curious, and emotionally sensitive. Read More>>
Briaca Duesette
I’ve learned that my greatest creative advantage is that no one on this planet has lived my journey. My path isn’t like anyone else’s, and embracing that fact keeps my creativity alive every single day. I pull from my own experiences the highs, the pivots, the challenges, the Detroit grit and that gives me an endless reservoir of ideas. Read More>>
Sarah Toles
Nothing kills creativity faster than being hard on yourself and staring at an endless to-do list. For me, I have to take time for myself every month by learning new pottery techniques or making an item for fun rather than focusing on if it will sell or not. Read More>>
Alexa Luckey
Rivers, lakes, oceans, streams – water. In all its forms, water always holds the sacredness of life. Its ability to glisten under the sun and reflect its light…its melodic tune as its waves gently rock into eachother; only water. I’ve always found safety in the nearness of earth’s beloved compound. Read More>>
Liza Sargent
I try to keep creativity alive by staying observant. I love observing people in their ordinary lives. I watch people on sidewalks and buses, imagine their lives, their routines, where they came from, where they’re going. I like to invent backstories for strangers and let them wander around in my head. Anything that keeps my mind moving. Read More>>
Alix Moad Evan Runkle
When you make your creative pursuit your work, it can be very easy to hit a creative block. The way we’ve been able to keep our creativity alive is by diversifying the kind of creative work we do. When we feel burnt out on writing, we edit or shoot photography. When we feel burnt out on being on-set, we turn to writing. Read More>>
Eshe Yildiz
For me, creativity isn’t a fragile thing you can lose – it’s a practice. It’s a muscle you build by showing up, not a mythic creature that disappears if you look away. The biggest barrier people face is fear: fear of starting, fear of not being perfect, fear of not knowing the outcome, fear of being perceived and known. Read More>>
Anna Bloom
How do you keep your creativity alive? My art is rooted in the belief that nature provides harmony, balance, and renewal — so it’s no surprise that it has become my deepest and most constant source of inspiration. Its perfectly balanced forms, colors, and rhythms speak to me on a level that feels almost spiritual. Read More>>
Dionisio Burgos
I’ve been trying not to burn myself out with photography, but I also make sure I stay creative. I always aim for at least 5 – 6collabs a month just to keep the passion alive. I’m constantly watching videos on YouTube, scrolling through Pinterest, and staying up-to-date with new camera gear and techniques. Read More>>
Dal Sanders
I should begin by saying that I don’t think that Creativity is a gift, a talent or something you are born with. I believe that creativity is something that you do. It’s a skill that you learn and, over time, develop it into one of the tools at your disposal to accomplish useful and meaningful work. Read More>>
Villa Dom
As you read this right this moment I challenge you to channel an emotion or special feeling you felt for the first time and it made a deep impact on your life (a beautiful one of course)… I’ll give you a few seconds to think about it. Read More>>
Ferris Harland
Quite frankly, sheer will.. when you grow up in the inner city without much. You tend to hold on to the little things you do have. You hone your talent. You create to escape. Read More>>
Hillary Griffin
Whenever I start feeling like I’ve gotten stale or feel disconnected from what I’ve been working on, I think back to when I spent precious hours creating characters and stories when I should have been getting a good night’s rest. This was back in grade school and college, when I hadn’t yet applied my art and design skills to the working world. Read More>>
Niyah Imani Jean-Pierre
“I keep my creativity alive by finding new ideas to try out. I love to try different things—whether it’s experimenting with fashion, writing scripts, or even just going outside into nature to observe little creatures. I also make sure to stay around people who support me and push me to bring my best. For me, creativity isn’t just about art. Read More>>
Shuning Huang
For me, creativity is a rhythm—sometimes soft, sometimes overwhelming, but always present if I make space for it. My training spans Chinese classical dance, ballet, and contemporary movement, so staying creative often means staying curious. I revisit my cultural roots, linger with memories of home in Nanjing, and let those textures collide with the rhythm of life in New York. Read More>>
Nikki Musko
She is driven by a relentless desire to win and a commitment to stand out from the crowd. She learned from mentors who shaped her instincts as a leader, pushing her to embrace challenges rather than settle for anything less than excellence from an early age. Read More>>
Zaa’Kiya Green
I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to real life — the women I touch, the stories I hear, and the energy around me. My creativity comes from a mix of spirituality, everyday experiences, and listening to what my clients truly need. Read More>>
Jose Vasquez
I seek a constant stream of ideas across every field imaginable: art, programming, quantum physics, Buddhism, and philosophy. I’m constantly reading, going to art museums, and asking people what’s currently on their playlists. Whatever calls to me, no matter how distant from music, can become a creative prompt. Read More>>
Jesse Felsot
I think for this I keep it alive by having that need to always create. Meaning my mind is constantly thinking of ideas, types of shots, stories, especially when I’m listening to music, working out mostly these days – that I’ll remember or write it down to circle back on it later as well as scrolling IG reels where I’ll watch something that could be a cool movie idea by expanding on. Read More>>
Yuhan (Hanni) Wang
I recently began writing songs but often find myself at a loss for ideas — I always want for my work to be perfect, or at least a captivating concept. One day on the subway in New York at 23rd Street, a group of teenage girls got on the train. Read More>>
Stephanie D. Williams
That’s a great question. I believe its important to have the courage to create what doesn’t yet exist.
“What if I tried?” That question has launched every chapter of my career. Read More>>
Lauren-Taylor Carrillo
Keeping my creativity alive means filling my “creative well”, and that looks different every day. Some days I find myself couch deep with a good book, exploring a new city, organizing my craft drawer, trying a new recipe, driving the scenic route home, or watching a docuseries. To sustain myself creatively, I must indulge in my curiosity. Read More>>
Josie Fares
Creativity, for me, comes from staying connected, to myself, my purpose, and the work I love. My best ideas rarely come from planning; they usually appear in the quiet moments, during meditation, while working with a client, or being in nature. That’s when something new downloads: a healing system, a frequency protocol, or a deeper way to bridge science, soul, and the body. Read More>>
Jacob Gong
As an illustrator, a major creative habit for me is observation. Often, when I am in a car or train, I can stare out the window for hours watching scenery, people, and buildings pass by. Or, I can be walking down the street, look up, and suddenly feel inspired by whatever I see in front of me then pull out my phone to take a picture. Read More>>
David Martinez
I keep creativity alive by thinking like a guest first. After years of going to bars, I always ask myself: What would I love to experience as a customer? That mindset pushes us to try new ideas and bring something fresh to every event. Read More>>
Chengrang Cho
Being a content creator & videographer today can be really challenging. With the constant pressure to post consistently and chase views no social media, it’s easy to feel burnt out. For me, the best way to keep my creativity alive is by engaging with other artists. Read More>>
Bradley Somer
It can be tough… a few years ago, I was invited to serve as a writer-in-residence at a local writer’s retreat. Here, I was tasked with working closely with a group of amazing writers over the course of four days, offering advice, energy, critique, and inspiration. Read More>>
Obatola Layiwola
In 2025, I began designing and fabricating bicycles under the guidance of Steve McGuire, a professor at the University of Iowa and founder of the Design, Build, Ride program, a top handmade bicycle curriculum nationally and internationally, where we collaborate with students across several departments, including mechanical engineering and physics, to solve technical fabrication challenges. Read More>>
Roger Ribeiro
Vem do meu dia a dia, da observação da sociedade, da vontade de contar novas histórias, de entreter as pessoas. Tenho uma inquietação infinita (risos) e isso me faz querer contar muitas histórias, o que aumenta minha criatividade. Portanto, acredito que ela se mantém viva e ativa por causa do meu cotidiano Read More>>
